Course Synopsis:

Early Islamic World is an introductory survey of the themes, events, and issues that define pre-modern Islamic civilization, from its inception in Arabia as a minority religion among a small community of believers in the 7th century CE, to its development into a formidable political empire, and across continents and cultures to create a powerful if diverse world civilization that has endured.  This course will begin with the emergence of early Islamic society and the Muslim faith.  We will explore the challenges which arose as Islamic expansion and encounters with different peoples and traditions influenced the evolution of this far-reaching civilization.  Due to the constraints of time, subject matter in this course will proceed chronologically from this early Islamic era up to roughly the 15th century; other courses will examine later periods of Islamic history.

Tentative Assessment:

20%    Midterm Exam    
10%    Topic abstract and list of sources for essay due
35%    Term Paper/Essay Assignment  (approx.1500-2000 words)
35%    Final Exam

Required Texts:

Vernon O. Egger, A History of the Muslim World to 1405: The Making of a Civilization.  New Jersey: Pearson (2004).

Reza Aslan, No God But God: the Origins, Development, and Future of Islam.  NY: Random House (2006).

Recommended Texts:

Frederick Mathewson Denny, An Introduction to Islam 2nd ed.  New York: Macmillan Pub. Co. (1994).   In Library:  Call Number BP161.2 .D46 1994

*Please note:  This is a preliminary web course description only.  The department reserves the right to change without notice any information in this description.  The final, binding course outline will be distributed in the first class of the semester.